This six-week, entry-level course is for those interested in learning about horses but not quite ready for consistent lessons. Students learn basic horse care, approaching and leading the horse, parts of the saddle, tacking up, and more. Much of the instruction is on the ground with some riding. In the sixth and final class, students take a written test and a riding test for the opportunity to earn a Certified Horsemanship Association level 1 certificate of achievement.

Details

• For ages 12 and up
• Cost: $475
• 6 spots available
• Includes:
  • CHA Composite Manual
  • 18 hours of group instruction
  • opportunity to earn CHA level 1 certificate of achievement

Dates/Time: 

• August 1, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
• August 8, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
• August 15,  3:00 – 6:00 PM
• August 22 – 3:00 – 6:00 PM
• August 28,  3:00 – 6:00 PM
• September 5, 3:00 – 6:00 PM

Prerequisites

• No prior horse experience necessary
• Rider weight limit is 250 pounds
• Must be in good physical condition for lots or walking, lifting, mounting/dismounting horses and riding
• Please review our liability waiver in detail for additional safety requirements.

Skills to Develop During Class

• Knowledge of basic safety
• Approaching, haltering, and leading  a horse safely
• Tying a horse with the quick release knot
• Identification and use of  grooming tools
• Parts of the saddle (English and/or western)
• Parts of the bridle (English and/or western)
• Saddling and bridling
• Mount a horse from a mounting block
• The four natural aids (seat, legs, voice, hands) and how they are used
• Ask-tell-command progression
• Safe spacing between horses while riding
• Riding the horse in circles and reverses at the walk, trot, and halt in the arena
• Basic trail etiquette
• Dismounting from a horse to the ground

Tentative Agenda

Week 1, August 1

 Learn and practice basic safety, grooming and saddling, watch riding demo, practice mounting and dismounting; study materials to take home: parts of the saddle worksheet, parts of the bridle worksheet, piece of rope to practice the quick release knot

Week 2, August 8

Review week 1 skills; introduce parts of the saddle and bridle, how to bridle, four natural aids and ask/tell/command, practice riding

Week 3, August 15

Review week 1 and 2 skills, continue riding practice

Week 4, August 22

Review and practice riding

Week 5, August 28

Review and practice riding; take practice test

Week 6, September 5

Take CHA level 1 test

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